As I sit in my comfy teal mushroom chair (where I write all my blogs...fun fact!) after attending yet another last class of the semester, I can't help but think about how far I have come and what I have experienced during my first semester of college. This time last year, I had officially committed to the University of Georgia and was beginning to look at dorms, secretly planning my Pinterest perfect room. I knew that one year later, I would have successfully (almost) made it through my first semester of college and was well on my way to the next, but little did I realize exactly what I would go through to get to December finals week.
Before my senior year, I had life planned. I was going to attend the University of West Georgia, major in Speech Language Pathology, get my Master's in SLP, and then settle down. I did not want to go far from home and wanted to go to a small school because I was used to living in a small community. I was a big fish who lived in a controlled, safe small pond. I was comfortable. Then, on a whim, my mom made me apply to UGA. I wasn't convinced, but hey, I went for it, and I got in. I will be forever thankful to my parents for pushing me to apply because that push has opened up so many opportunities for me. Best decision of my life.
Next step: I decided to apply to UGA's Freshman College Summer program to become acclimated with the campus before the rush of fall. That month was the hardest month of my life. I was alone in a new town, struggling in a class, and questioning myself and UGA entirely. Before the month was over, I was convinced that I wasn't returning to UGA in the fall. But for some reason I did. Second best decision of my life.
When I came back to Athens in August, I had the town and school under my belt. I wasn't nervous about starting class again; I was confident. After a few weeks, I began to feel really unsure about my major: Communication Disorders. I then changed my major not one, but three times, completely running the gamut of the College of Education in a month. For those of you who know me, uncertainty is my number one enemy. I plan, plan, and plan again until everything is perfect. Regardless of what my parents and friends told me, I was determined to make my own decisions and declare a new major. Mistake #1.
In September, I went through recruitment for UGA's Christian sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega. After a week of activities and a month of new member training, I received a big, a family, and over 100 new sisters. Each of these girls has had an impact on me and my semester, especially my suitemate Holly. Though we have only known each other since August, I can't imagine what my first semester would have been like without her (cliche, I know). Through too many Alx James videos, Gigi's Cupcakes, and road trips around Athens, Holly has become someone who I can go to 24/7 and talk like with. Whether crying or laughing, Holly has stuck with me despite my first semester struggles. God truly matched me up with a lifelong friend and sister.
A few weeks later, I took a step outside of my comfort zone: I joined a service club. Aces for Athens, though initially a way to stay immersed in tennis while in college, has become a thing that is part of my heart. I recently became a member of the Executive Team for the next year, which is a huge blessing. I can't wait to see how God will use me in this next year to impact the incredible kids that Aces serves.
So now, four classes completed and two remaining in the semester, I am a year older and wiser than I was when I committed to the G. When I was told last year that college would change me, I underestimated how much exactly I would change. The answer? A lot. I feel that in the past few months, I have had to grow up and accomplish more than ever. It is unreal to think about the huge steps that I have made since August. In just a semester, I have entered college, changed my major back to Communication Sciences and Disorders (hopefully for good!), joined a sorority, met my best friend, became active in a club, and even drove through Atlanta by myself (told you I could, dad). I've gone from big fish in the small pond of Armuchee to a small bulldog in the sold-out Sanford Stadium. This may have been a semester of uncertainty, but looking back, I am certain that I would not change one 8 a.m. class, one junk food meal, one losing Saturday in Sanford Stadium, or one walk up the steep Ag Hill for a different first semester. As I once heard someone say, one day as a Dawg is better than five hundred as a Yellow Jacket (ok.ay... I made this up after last Saturday).
Thank you all for supporting me on my journey thus far, and I hope that you stay turned for the adventures of next semester.
May God be with you all through finals week, last minute Christmas shopping, and football championships. I wish only A's, discounted presents, and trophies for you all.
-Emily
Before my senior year, I had life planned. I was going to attend the University of West Georgia, major in Speech Language Pathology, get my Master's in SLP, and then settle down. I did not want to go far from home and wanted to go to a small school because I was used to living in a small community. I was a big fish who lived in a controlled, safe small pond. I was comfortable. Then, on a whim, my mom made me apply to UGA. I wasn't convinced, but hey, I went for it, and I got in. I will be forever thankful to my parents for pushing me to apply because that push has opened up so many opportunities for me. Best decision of my life.
Next step: I decided to apply to UGA's Freshman College Summer program to become acclimated with the campus before the rush of fall. That month was the hardest month of my life. I was alone in a new town, struggling in a class, and questioning myself and UGA entirely. Before the month was over, I was convinced that I wasn't returning to UGA in the fall. But for some reason I did. Second best decision of my life.
When I came back to Athens in August, I had the town and school under my belt. I wasn't nervous about starting class again; I was confident. After a few weeks, I began to feel really unsure about my major: Communication Disorders. I then changed my major not one, but three times, completely running the gamut of the College of Education in a month. For those of you who know me, uncertainty is my number one enemy. I plan, plan, and plan again until everything is perfect. Regardless of what my parents and friends told me, I was determined to make my own decisions and declare a new major. Mistake #1.
In September, I went through recruitment for UGA's Christian sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega. After a week of activities and a month of new member training, I received a big, a family, and over 100 new sisters. Each of these girls has had an impact on me and my semester, especially my suitemate Holly. Though we have only known each other since August, I can't imagine what my first semester would have been like without her (cliche, I know). Through too many Alx James videos, Gigi's Cupcakes, and road trips around Athens, Holly has become someone who I can go to 24/7 and talk like with. Whether crying or laughing, Holly has stuck with me despite my first semester struggles. God truly matched me up with a lifelong friend and sister.
A few weeks later, I took a step outside of my comfort zone: I joined a service club. Aces for Athens, though initially a way to stay immersed in tennis while in college, has become a thing that is part of my heart. I recently became a member of the Executive Team for the next year, which is a huge blessing. I can't wait to see how God will use me in this next year to impact the incredible kids that Aces serves.
So now, four classes completed and two remaining in the semester, I am a year older and wiser than I was when I committed to the G. When I was told last year that college would change me, I underestimated how much exactly I would change. The answer? A lot. I feel that in the past few months, I have had to grow up and accomplish more than ever. It is unreal to think about the huge steps that I have made since August. In just a semester, I have entered college, changed my major back to Communication Sciences and Disorders (hopefully for good!), joined a sorority, met my best friend, became active in a club, and even drove through Atlanta by myself (told you I could, dad). I've gone from big fish in the small pond of Armuchee to a small bulldog in the sold-out Sanford Stadium. This may have been a semester of uncertainty, but looking back, I am certain that I would not change one 8 a.m. class, one junk food meal, one losing Saturday in Sanford Stadium, or one walk up the steep Ag Hill for a different first semester. As I once heard someone say, one day as a Dawg is better than five hundred as a Yellow Jacket (ok.ay... I made this up after last Saturday).
Thank you all for supporting me on my journey thus far, and I hope that you stay turned for the adventures of next semester.
May God be with you all through finals week, last minute Christmas shopping, and football championships. I wish only A's, discounted presents, and trophies for you all.
-Emily